Harvard University, MIT, Texas offer free tuition fees to students from mid-income families – FAQs here

With rising college costs, these programmes ensure that more students can access a world-class education without the stress of tuition fees. Here’s what you need to know about eligibility, benefits, and how to apply.

Question: Who will benefit from the tuition fee waiver programme at Harvard University?

Answer: Students from families with incomes of $100,000 or less will receive a completely free education, covering all costs. It will make approximately 86 per cent of US families eligible for assistance. Harvard College will cover all billed expenses — including tuition, housing, food, health insurance, and travel — for students from families earning $100,000 or less. These students will also receive a $2,000 start-up grant in their first year and another $2,000 launch grant in their junior year to help with post-graduation transitions.

Students from families earning $200,000 or less will qualify for free tuition, along with additional aid to cover other expenses based on individual financial needs. Even families earning above $200,000 may be eligible for financial aid, depending on their circumstances. Harvard’s financial aid staff will work closely with students and families to support their specific financial situations.

Question: How much have been allocated by Harvard University for the 2025-26 academic year?

Answer: Since the launch of the Harvard Financial Aid Initiative, the University has provided over $3.6 billion in undergraduate financial assistance. For the 2025-26 academic year, Harvard College has allocated $275 million for financial aid. Currently, 55 per cent of UG students receive financial support, with their families contributing an average of $15,700 for the 2023-24 academic year. The enhanced financial aid programme aims to ease the financial burden on middle-income families and reinforce Harvard’s commitment to educational equity, as mentioned in the Harvard Gazette.

Question: What is the criteria to become eligible for a tuition fee waiver at MIT?

Answer: Students from families earning under $200,000 annually qualify for tuition-free education at MIT. It is now up from the previous $140,000 threshold.

Question: Who receives full coverage for tuition, housing, books, and personal expenses at MIT?

Answer: Families earning below $100,000 will receive full coverage for tuition, housing, books, and personal expenses, effectively making MIT cost-free. Currently, 35% of MIT undergraduates pay no tuition, and this expansion will benefit even more students.

Question: Does the University of Texas also waive fees?

Answer: Beginning in the fall of 2025, the University of Texas (UT) System will waive tuition and mandatory fees for students from families earning $100,000 or less annually. This new policy will apply to all nine UT academic institutions, unifying the varying financial aid programs previously in place across the system. By creating a universal income threshold, the UT System aims to provide consistent and accessible opportunities for students regardless of which campus they attend.

Question: What is the University of Massachusetts’ rule to get a tuition fee waiver?

Answer: The University of Massachusetts is expanding its financial aid programme to fully cover tuition for high-need families earning $75,000 or less. Currently benefiting 92 per cent of eligible students, this initiative aims to support the remaining 8 per cent. To qualify, students must be Massachusetts residents, enrolled full-time, and pursuing an on-campus undergraduate degree. The program will be available across all UMass campuses, including Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, and Lowell.

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